A WhatsApp bug bypasses the iPhone's Touch ID

Several weeks after WhatsApp introduced the ability to protect conversations using Touch ID or Face ID on iOS, the feature is back in the news. This time for security problems,that could put the privacy of Apple devices at risk. A Reddit user has discovered the possibility of accessing the messaging service, despite being protected by fingerprint or facial recognition. The entry is viable when trying to share any file, and as long as the option after 1 minute, 15 or one hour is activated within the privacy options.

WhatsApp makes available to iOS users four time intervals to configure biometric identification: "Immediately", "After 1 minute", "After 15 minutes", "After 1 hour ». In the case of choosing any option other than “immediately”, according to this Reddit user, it will be possible to access all chats when the file is shared within that time interval.

Once inside, you can stay as long as you want. However, in case of going out again, identification with fingerprints or facial recognition will be necessary, or sharing a file again. This is a fairly important bug and one that is giving a lot of talk, since, precisely, the protection with Touch ID or Face ID has been designed so that any user is unable to snoop our WhatsApp conversations.

From WhatsApp they have already acknowledged the error to Reuters, confirming that they are currently working to find a solution to this problem Until this happens , the company recommends that the blocking option be activated "immediately" to prevent third-party access to the application. We imagine that in a matter of days or weeks they will launch a new update correcting the error. We will be very attentive to inform you as soon as this is the case.